Client Guidelines
Electrical Product
Safety Certification Scheme
UNCONTROLLED WHEN DOWNLOADED/PRINTED
Client Guidelines
Informative
Most electrical equipment for household and similar use requires certification before it can be sold in Australia or
New Zealand.
Conformity Certification Services Pty Ltd (the Company) trading as EESS Conformity Certification (the Business)
has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) as a third party
Product Conformity Assessment Body in the field of Electrical Product Safety Certification.
EESS Conformity Certification is also declared by the Queensland Regulatory Authority as a Recognised External
Certification Scheme (RECS) under the new Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). This also gives recognition
from all other States and Territories of Australia and New Zealand under the Mutual Recognition Agreement and
the Trans-Tasman Mutual Agreement.
Certification by EESS Conformity Certification is accepted by all States and Territories of Australia and New
Zealand. We add ‘Value to Evaluation’ by providing an independent, transparent, competent, consistent and
prompt certification service to facilitate you in meeting your legal obligations for supplying electrical equipment
constructed in accordance with good engineering practice with regard to safety, thus providing peace of mind to
all stakeholders.
The new Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) categorises Electrical Equipment into three different risk
levels: Level 3 (high risk), Level 2 (medium risk) and Level 1 (low risk). The requirements for Certification of Level
3 Equipment are similar to those for Declared Articles. The requirements for Certification of Level 2 and Level 1
are similar to those for Non-declared articles.
EESS Conformity Certification will issue a Certificate of Conformity for Level 3 Equipment (Declared Articles)
under the EESS and upload your certificate details to the National Certification Database.
EESS Conformity Certification may also issue a Certificate of Suitability for Level 1 and 2 Equipment (Nondeclared Articles) under the EESS. We are currently the only private certifier who can upload these details to
the National Certification Database.
For further information on the new Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) please email us or refer to our
website www.eessconformity.com .
EESS Conformity Certification
trading under
Conformity Certification Services Pty Ltd
Level 30 Westpac House
91 King William Street Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 1144 Williamstown SA 5351
AUSTRALIA
ABN 74 161 881 401
Phone: +61(0) 8 8233 5855
Email: info@eessconformity.com
Website: www.eessconformity.com
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Client Guidelines
Certification
An Application for Certification may be made to EESS Conformity Certification by submitting a completed
“Application for Certification of Electrical Equipment” form EESS-F01.
Completed applications can be submitted to applications@eessconformity.com .
The certification decision is made by the Certification Manager and certification will only be granted based on:
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A completed ‘Application for Certification of Electrical Equipment’ (EESS-F01) with a signed Declaration by
Applicant or Authorised Representative;
The client acknowledging that they have read, understood and will abide by the Company’s General
Terms and Conditions of Service and these Client Guidelines (the latest version of either of these
documents is available at www.eessconformity.com );
A letter of authorisation signed by the applicant where the ‘Application for Certification of Electrical
Equipment’ is made by an agent on their behalf;
Provision of a compliant Test Report (refer to Test Reports);
Provision of a Sample of the Electrical Equipment or detailed colour photographs (refer to Photographs);
A review of the provided Technical Documentation including any Consideration letters;
A review of the Materials and Critical Components lists (refer Critical Components); and
Payment of the Fee.
Where an Application for Certification is found to be incomplete or deficient during the review, the applicant will
be notified in writing and has three (3) calendar months to provide the additional information, after which a new
application may be required.
EESS Conformity Certification will maintain a Register of all certification activities and upload each certificate
issued to the National Database within three (3) working days of certification and receipt of payment.
A flow diagram of the certification process is given in Appendix A.
Test Reports
A Test Report shall be a complete original or recognised copy and shall be one of the following:
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a NATA endorsed report; or
an endorsed report from a laboratory with which NATA has a mutual recognition arrangement; or
a CB test report issued under the IECEE CB Scheme (CBTL reports are not accepted without a CB
certificate; TMP, WMT & SMT reports must be accompanied with a CB certificate and RMT reports are
not accepted); or
a report from a testing laboratory which has been included as part of an endorsed test report from a
NATA (or equivalent) laboratory that is accredited for the standard/s and test/s concerned.
In general, the following requirements also apply for test reports to be deemed acceptable:
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the scope of accreditation for the Testing Facility includes the applicable standard and clauses;
the Testing Facility’s details (such as the company name and address) on the scope of accreditation
match those listed on the report;
the report relates to the submitted product or an identity declaration is provided unequivocally linking
the submitted product to the report;
the report is compliant with the current applicable standard (refer to procedure EESS-P04 Standards for
Electrical Equipment Certification);
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Client Guidelines
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Where there have been variations in design to the original model tested in full, these may be assessed
either in the body of the original report, in a separate report with only the clauses relating to the
differences being assessed, or via a Considerations Letter by a Suitably Qualified Person indicating why
further testing is not required based on the variations in question. Any testing shall be conducted by a
Testing Facility with the required accreditation
sections assessed non-complaint or not assessed are accompanied by a detailed Considerations Letter by
a Suitably Qualified Person as to why the equipment should be certified;
critical components are required to be tested and provided with Test Reports or Certificates that detail
their compliance with the relevant Standards or be marked with certification body marks; and
the Test Report shall be within any expiry date listed on the report. If no such date is listed, no more than
5 years old shall have passed from the date of testing unless specified otherwise by a Regulatory
Authority. Test reports older than five (5) years may be used if the report is updated by a Testing Facility
or Suitably Qualified Person to verify no components have changed in the equipment, and no changes
have occurred to the standard that affect the compliance of the equipment to the relevant standard.
Samples
A sample of the equipment for which certification is sought is required to be submitted for examination. If clear
and detailed colour photos are provided which unmistakably identify the product, this requirement may be
waived.
Photographs
The photographs must be clear, detailed and in colour. In general they shall show:
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a complete view of the product (external sides, top and bottom);
name plate (or artwork);
warning labels on the product and/or indicator marks;
close-ups of controls and switches;
close-ups of the flexible cord and plug including markings (or a copy of the relevant Certificate of
Approval/Conformity);
cord entry into the product;
overall internal layout including wiring and component locations;
close-ups of the incoming supply cord / cord anchorage / supply terminal block / earth connection; and
markings on critical components (switches, capacitors, transformers etc.).
Safety Standard
For the relevant safety standard, refer to Appendix B of AS/NZS 4417.2: ‘Regulatory definitions and classification
of equipment’ or the class specification nominated for the article by order in the NSW Government Gazette.
The relevant standard for in-scope Level 1 Electrical Equipment is:
a) If there is a Standards Australia (AS) or joint Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (AS/NZS)
standard that applies specifically to the type, that standard; or
b) If there no AS or NZS that applies specifically to the type and there is an IEC standard that applies
specifically to the type, that standard.
c) If neither points (a) or (b) above apply then assessment for the relevant standard to apply shall be the
same as point (b) for Level 2 and Level 3 equipment.
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Client Guidelines
The relevant standard for In-scope Level 2 and Level 3 Electrical Equipment is:
a) The standard shown in AS/NZS 4417 as the relevant standard for the type, and the standard can be
readily applied to the type; or
b) Chosen by the responsible supplier and accepted by a Regulatory Authority as a standard that can be
readily applied to the type.
Note: Point (b) applies to alternative standards or solutions where an International, or other national standard, or other
document containing requirements for the safety of electrical equipment , that provides the same or higher levels of electrical
equipment safety as an AS or NZS. If the Responsible Supplier has chosen a standard that is not in AS/NZS 4417 as a standard
that can be readily applied to the type of equipment, then the Responsible Supplier shall compile an alternate solution standard
report justifying the standard chosen. This report must be submitted to ERAC for consideration of acceptance of the chosen
standard. Refer to Section 8.3.2 of the ERAC Australian/New Zealand Electrical Equipment Safety System Equipment Safety
Rules.
Critical Components
The materials and critical components lists must also be submitted. In general critical components are required
to be tested and provided with Test Reports or Certificates that detail their compliance with the relevant
Standards or be marked with certification body marks.
Note: Electrical Equipment may include a number of components, each of which, taken separately, is in itself an
item of Electrical Equipment. Where the item of Electrical Equipment is a Declared or Risk Level 3 Article then
details of the current Certificate of Approval or Conformity must also be included on the application.
Certificate
Certification is granted for a period of five (5) years unless specific requirements are made mandatory by
Regulatory Authorities which limit the validity to a lesser period. Note: The validity period for hair straighteners
is limited to a two (2) year validity period.
The certificate details will include:
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the type of certificate (Certificate of Approval, Conformity or Suitability)
the name of the certificate holder;
a description of the model (including marked brand or trade name);
the fact EESS Conformity Certification has certified the article;
the date of certification;
the period of validity;
the marking to be applied to the article to evidence the certification;
the model reference code; and
the declared class.
A Certificate of Approval will be issued for a Declared Article and a Certificate of Conformity will be issued for
Class 3 Electrical Equipment if requested.
A Certificate of Suitability will be issued for all Non-declared Articles and Class 1 and 2 Electrical Equipment.
Within three (3) working days of payment being confirmed, EESS Conformity Certification will then upload the
required certificate information to the National Database as detailed in the ERAC Australian / New Zealand
Electrical Equipment Safety System, Equipment Safety Rules Appendix C.
The Responsible Supplier is still required to register their Equipment on the National Database.
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Client Guidelines
Complaints and Appeals
Documentation is provided on our website www.eessconformity.com so that you may register a complaint or
appeal, or dispute a decision made during the certification process in writing. We will deem that you have
accepted our services if we do not receive correspondence stating otherwise within five (5) business days after
the date you receive the certificate. The Certification Manager will respond and initiate action within thirty (30)
working days of receipt of such notice.
Modifications after Certification
Certification is based on type testing where the electrical equipment submitted for certification is representative
of a regular line of manufacture and each unit in that line is of the same construction as the type provided for
compliance. Any modification to the electrical equipment must therefore be notified to EESS Conformity
Certification in writing by submitting a completed “Application for Certification of Electrical Equipment” form
EESS-F01.
For modifications that result in a new type of equipment, the applicant will need to submit a new Application for
Certification.
Certification will follow the same process as for a new Application for Certification. The complete modified article
must comply with the applicable safety standard, including the amendments to that standard.
Where certification is granted, a Modification Addendum Certificate or a General Modification Letter will be
issued giving the details of the modification. A General Modification Letter will be issued when the modification
does not necessitate a change to details on the original certificate (e.g. alternate component).
A modification after certification does not alter the validity period of the certificate.
Renewal of Certification
EESS Conformity Certification will notify the certificate holder three (3) months before the certificate validity
period expires. The certificate holder may allow the certificate to expire or make an application for renewal of
certification by filling in the “Application for Certification of Electrical Equipment” form EESS-F01.
Certification will follow the same process as for a new Application for Certification. The article must comply with
the then current applicable safety standard, including amendments to that standard.
EESS Conformity Certification may extend the expiry date of an existing certificate only where:
a) The in-scope Electrical Equipment has not been modified; and
b) The relevant standard to which that type was tested has not changed significantly as applicable to the
Electrical equipment since the current certificate was issued or the certificate relating to that type was
modified.
Where points (a) and (b) cannot be satisfied, EESS Conformity Certification may extend the expiry date of an
existing certificate only where a Regulatory Authority has provided written authorisation.
A certificate will lapse if not renewed prior to the expiry date and EESS Conformity Certification will then
withdraw the certification.
Change in Certificate Holder details
Any change to the name or address of the existing holder of the certificate (where the Current Authorised
Certificate holder still remains the same) must be notified to EESS Conformity Certification within one (1)
calendar month of that change
An application for change in certificate holder details may be made to EESS Conformity Certification by filling in
the “Application for Certification of Electrical Equipment” form EESS-F01.
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Client Guidelines
Transfer of Certificate Holder
An application for the transfer of the certificate from the existing holder to another holder may be made to EESS
Conformity Certification by filling in the “Application for Transfer of Certificate Holder” form EESS-F02.
Authorisation must be received from the current certificate holder first in order to transfer certificate holder
details.
Suspension and Withdrawal of Certificates
EESS Conformity Certification will make all efforts to ensure that the certificates and certification marks are used
as intended.
Certification may be suspended on the following grounds:
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the certificate holder gives a written request to EESS Conformity Certification for withdrawal or
suspension;
by written request of a regulatory authority to EESS Conformity Certification;
the Electrical equipment is found to be unsafe by reason of its design or construction;
the Electrical Equipment is found to be non-compliant with the relevant or declared safety standards for
that type; and
any other ground that may be prescribed by legislation.
When non-conformity with certification requirements is detected and substantiated, EESS Conformity
Certification will consider and decide upon the appropriate actions to be taken and convey this decision to the
certificate holder in writing
If the certificate holder does not remedy the non-conformity within 90 (ninety) days then EESS Conformity
Certification will withdraw certification indefinitely.
The Certification Manager will invoke the process outlined in the latest Australian Competitor & Consumer
Commission (ACCC) Consumer Product Safety Recall Guidelines as applicable. These are available at the ACCC
web site www.recalls.gov.au .
Withdrawal of certification will be conveyed to the certificate holder as a final notice and in such cases the
relevant authorities will also be notified within three (3) days of the certificate withdrawal. The certificate details
will then be modified accordingly on the certification registers (e.g. the National Database).
Re-instatement of withdrawn certification is subject to satisfactory completion of a full review of the intended
method of resolution of non-conformance, either technical or administrative. Certification will follow the same
process as for a new Application for Certification.
Upon suspension or withdrawal of certification, all advertising matter that contains any reference to the
certification shall be discontinued and other actions as required by EESS Conformity Certification shall be taken,
including the return of certificates and any other reasonably required measures to discontinue use of the
certificate.
Refer also to the General Terms and Conditions of Service.
Ongoing Responsibilities
The certificate holder must ensure that
• the required marking as specified on the certificate or
• the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance with its conditions of use as set out in the latest
edition of AS/NZS 4417.1
is clearly and indelibly marked upon the electrical equipment before supply.
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Client Guidelines
The certificate holder must ensure that on-going production of the certified equipment continues to fulfil the
requirements for certification.
Any modification to the electrical equipment must be immediately notified to EESS Conformity Certification for
certification.
Any changes to the certificate holder’s details must be notified to EESS Conformity Certification within one (1)
calendar month.
The certificate holder shall keep a record of all complaints and corrective actions relating to the Electrical
Equipment’s compliance with the relevant standard and make these available to EESS Conformity Certification on
request.
Confidentiality
During the certification process, all information including communications, documents and test reports are
treated as “Commercial in Confidence” with the Client and/or their Authorised representative.
Where certification is granted, certification details will be uploaded by EESS Conformity Certification to the
National Database as required by the ERAC Australian / New Zealand Electrical Equipment Safety System,
Equipment Safety Rules Appendix C. A Certificate Lock Password will be assigned to prevent unauthorised
Responsible Suppliers from registering their products using this certificate.
Except as required by law, information gained in the course of certification activities about a particular product
or supplier will not be disclosed to a third-party without the written consent of the applicant. Where the law
requires information to be disclosed to a third-party, the applicant will be informed in writing of the information
provided as permitted by the law.
On request from JAS-ANZ or the appropriate Regulatory Authority, information which was used in any decision to
issue certification or other data which may be needed to verify, trace or identify items will be provided by EESS
Conformity Certification to JAS-ANZ or the appropriate Regulatory Authority within three (3) working days of
such a request.
Refer also to the General Terms and Conditions of Service.
Fee Schedule
Refer to www.eessconformity.com for the latest Schedule of Fees.
A Tax Invoice will be sent on completion of the review. Invoices must be paid by the client within 7 days of the
date of the invoice. Within three (3) working days of certification and payment being confirmed, the certificate
details will be uploaded to the National Database and the Hard Copy of the Certificate posted.
Payment is due regardless of whether EESS Conformity Certification grants its certification in respect of the
application or not.
Accepted methods of payment are by EFT, Credit Card, PayPal or Cheque. Please refer to
www.eessconformity.com for more specific details on how you can pay for our services.
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Client Guidelines
Appendix A - Certification Process
Applicant wishes to make application
for new certification
Applicant completes the ‘Application
for Certification’ form EESS-F01
Applicant is notified of any deficiencies and has three (3)
calendar months, or a mutually agreed timeframe within
which to provide the additional information, after which
a new application shall be made.
EESS Conformity Services reviews the
application and documents the
assessment and all correspondence for
the certification decision.
The certification decision is made by
the Certification Manager
Certification
granted
Applicant pays the correct
application fee (non refundable)
Certificate
Issued
Certification
rejected
Applicant advised in writing and
application deemed complete.
EESS Conformity Certification will charge a fee for the
work conducted. It is up to the discretion of the
Certification Manager to charge either the full fee or a
proportion thereof depending on how much time and
effort was expended on the application (non refundable)
The applicant maintains a Compliance Folder for the
product(s) certified and updates any changes to the
information supplied at the time of previous application.
Applicant marks the product with
required marking and proceeds to
market
The applicant makes a Modification or
requests an Extension or Renewal to
the certificate issued.
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